# NTSB LAX88FA312: Piper PA-28-235, N8743W, Camarillo, CA, September 8, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 7, 1988, 21:25 local (Sep 8, 1988, 04:25 UTC)
- Place: Camarillo, CA
- Location: 34.2218° N, 119.0322° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Camarillo, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2218&lon=-119.0322&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25862
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88FA312
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25862/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA312

## Probable cause

THE PILOT DECIDED TO OPERATE THE AIRCRAFT WITH A KNOWN ELECTRICAL DEFICIENCY DURING NIGHT INSTRUMENT METEORLOGICAL CONDITIONS AND THE DECISION OF THE PILOT TO CONDUCT A FLIGHT OPERATION IN WHICH HE WAS NOT CERTIFIED. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOTS LACK OF INSTRUMENT FLIGHT EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - electrical system,generator - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8743W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8743W-2013-05-15), registration cancelled 2013-05-15, S/N 28-10283, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 10283
- Airframe hours: 2982
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Raymond Garrett
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 31, 1988, 200 hours before
- Departed: CMA, CAMARILLO, CA
- Destination: Q40, ELK GROVE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 343 total, 185 in this make and model, 343 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 280° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OXR, 6 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19880907038409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880907038409A), Sep 7, 1988: Piper PA28235, Camarillo, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Took off into IMC lost control crashed and burned on climbout. Aircraft generator out dead battery. Used flash light

## Other investigations on N8743W (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB UNK65X1009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK65X1009), Dec 14, 1964: Piper PA28 (N8743W), Lumberton, NJ, substantial damage

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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